Bed air bag deterrent system

ABSTRACT

A bed air bag deterrent apparatus for deterring a bed occupant from getting out of bed without assistance of a caregiver, including a deterrent device mounted on a bed frame and activated by a detection system to deter or delay the bed occupant from getting out of bed, a detection system having a detector for detecting when the bed occupant is attempting to get out of bed, and a control mechanism to for controlling the detection and deterrent systems. The deterrent device has an inflatable air bag mounted on the long side of a horizontally displaced rectangular support frame that is positioned on the horizontal surface of a bed frame. The detection system includes transmitters, sensors and pressure-sensitive bed occupancy pads for detecting the bed occupant. The control mechanism includes a bed occupancy monitor and audio system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/826,808filed Apr. 6, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to safety equipment, andin particular, to an inflatable air bag to deter a patient from gettingout of bed and walking without the supervision or assistance of acaregiver.

BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART

[0003] It is well known that hospital patients such as the elderly orthose with Alzheimer's disease are in danger when they attempt to walkor move unaided from a bed. But an initial problem arises when theyattempt to leave their bed as they are either physically too weak, ortoo confused to negotiate a safe exit. As a result, upon their attemptedexit, they may misstep, fall out of the bed and injure themselves. Notonly do these falls sometimes result in serious injuries, but they mayalso result in fatalities. Statistics show that falls in older personsand their resulting emotional effects, such as depression, are theleading cause of unintentional death in people over 75 years of age.

[0004] Over the years, hospitals and nursing homes have used differentforms of impediments to prevent patients from leaving their beds.Physical deterrents have been used to tie bed occupants to the bed.These deterrents, however, are degrading, threatening, and have atendency to agitate patients, particularly if they are confused abouttheir surroundings. Also, railings have been used for many years. Recentstudies, however, have shown that not only do railings fail to preventfalls, but they may actually increase serious injuries to bed occupantswho attempt to climb over the railings to get out of the bed. Hospitaland nursing home patients should have some level of comfort, but priordeterring systems with these and other drawbacks have diminished thequality of life of patient hospitalization. Therefore, a need exists inhospitals, nursing homes and even hospice or home care arrangements, toprovide patients with a non-threatening deterrent.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,705, to West, discloses an impact cushioningdevice that rests on a floor to cushion a patient who has fallen off ofa bed. However this device does not become effective until the patientis already falling off of the bed so, it does not prevent the fall. Thesame is true of U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,065, also to West, that discloses acushion to protect wheelchair or bed occupants from fall-relatedinjuries. Since the cushion rests at a distance from its supportingstructure, the occupant has some distance to travel before the fall iscushioned.

[0006] When a cushion rests on the floor, it is possible that the bed orwheelchair occupant may bounce off the cushion and still land on thefloor. Also, the occupant may grab at the surroundings or nearby objectsin an attempt to prevent an impending fall (from either the bed orwheelchair) even though there is a cushion on the floor, resulting in amuscle strain. Thus, neither one of these devices prevents the fullrange of injuries that could occur should a patient either attempt tobreak their own fall or fall off of the cushion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide anew and improved device to safeguard and deter patients who attempt toget out of their bed without the supervision or assistance of acaregiver. This device is particularly valuable for safeguardingpatients in hospitals and nursing homes or where patients are under ahospice care-like arrangement.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide adetection system to detect when an occupant is attempting to get out ofbed.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide acontrol mechanism to carry a signal to an audio system and an inflationdevice such as a fan for activating a deterrent device to deter or delayan occupant from getting out of bed.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodof detecting and deterring a bed occupant from getting out of bed.

[0011] The present invention is directed to an apparatus to deter a bedoccupant from getting out of a bed including a detection system, adeterrent device and a control mechanism. The detection system has athree-component detector for detecting when the bed occupant isattempting to get out of the bed. The deterrent device includes an airbag that is mounted on the frame of the bed that inflates to deter ordelay the bed occupant from getting out of bed in response to adetection system signal. The control mechanism controls the detectionsystem and deterrent device. The air bag is mounted on the long side ofthe bed and affixed to a support board or support frame on a bed frame.The air bag is inflated using a low-pressure inflation fan triggered bythe control mechanism. When deployed, the air bag is maintained in aproper position by external tethers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed with a deflated air bag ofthe present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bed with an inflated air bag ofthe present invention;

[0014]FIGS. 2A to 2C are perspective cross-sectional views of air bagsof the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bed with transmitters andreflectors/receivers of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 3A is a perspective view of pressure-sensitive padspositioned along the free edges of a bed with transmitters andreflectors/receivers according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0017]FIG. 4 is an end view of a bed with the sensor system of thepresent invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is an end view of the bed with a side view of the inflatedair bag of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a top view of the bed with the inflated air bag of thepresent invention; and

[0020]FIG. 7 is a schematic of the inflation/deflation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a bed frame 10 including a horizontallydisposed support platform 18 positioned between the bed frame 10 and amattress 4 and four support members or legs 20 integrally connected tothe four corners of the support platform 18. Alternatively, a supportframe 12 and four support members or legs 20 integrally connected to thefour corners of the frame 12 can be positioned between the bed frame 10and a mattress 4. The support platform 18 can be constructed fromplywood, Masonite, a light metal or any other suitable and economicalmaterial.

[0022] The support frame 12 is substantially flat and can be of anyshape, but preferably is a rectangular-like frame of PVC pipe thatsubstantially covers the bed frame 10. The support frame 12 ispositioned on top of the bed frame 10. The mattress 4 rests upon the bedframe 10 inside the support frame 12, or on top of the support platform18 depending on which is used.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the air bag 2 inflates upwardly and alongthe long side of the bed 10. As illustrated, the inflated air bag 2 canbe cylindrical with a circular cross-section. However, the air bag 2 canbe of any suitable cross-section such as, for example, rectangular,triangular and the like. See FIGS. 2A-2C. The bag 2 should be longenough to close or almost close the end of the bed with either no gap ora very small gap. The diameter of the air bag 2 should be the minimumrequired for deterrence. The maximum size of the air bag 2 is preferably2 feet in diameter. The critical feature of the air bag cross-section isthat the size and shape of the air bag 2 are sufficient to deter ordelay a bed occupant from getting out of the bed without assistance orsupervision from the caregiver. This is because the inflated air bag 2deters or delays the bed occupant to provide a necessary amount of timefor the caregiver to attend to the bed occupant attempting to get out ofthe bed or at least keep the occupant in the bed. The air bag 2 in thepreferred embodiment is made from ripstop nylon, i.e., parachute cloth.However, an air bag 2 made from any suitable air bag material can beused.

[0024] Although illustrated as having an air bag on one side only, twoair bags can be used, one on either side of the bed. As such, both bagsmay activate simultaneously or individually, depending on which side ofthe bed receives the signal of the bed occupants' attempted exit.However, when only one air bag 2 is used, a railing 6 can be used on theopposite side of the bed. With the railing 6 on the opposite side, thebed occupant will attempt to leave the bed via the open (i.e., deflatedair bag) side. The deflated air bag 2 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is stored by asuitable retention device such as elastic bands on the side of the bed10 opposite the railing 6. Inside the air bag, a coil 60 of wire keepsthe bag material from entering and clogging the intake duct when thesame duct is used to deflate the bag. The air bag 2 is unobtrusive whennot being used (i.e., deflated). When not inflated, the air bag 2 doesnot interfere with the caregiver's duties around the bed or with aperson leaving the bed with the aid of a caregiver. Thus, the deflatedair bag 2 can be compactly stored next to the left, right or both sidesof the bed substantially along the long side of the bed.

[0025] Support panels 8, extend from the ends of the air bag and areattached to the members or legs 20 on the opposite side of the bed fromthe bag and at the head and foot of the bed to close the gap between aheadboard 22 of the bed and the air bag 2 as well as the gap between thefootboard 24 of the bed and the air bag 2. See FIG. 6. The supportpanels 8 also prevent the air bag 2 from rotating down and away from thebed when the occupant presses on the air bag while in the bed. Thesupport panels 8 are also ripstop nylon. The headboard 22 and footboard24 can be of any convenient material such as plywood, Masonite or alight metal, and should be detachable so that the bed air bag deterrentapparatus can be stored when not in use.

[0026]FIG. 3 illustrates the detection system to indicate when anoccupant is attempting to leave the bed. The detection system isactivated by a switch (not shown) located near the bed, for example, ona nightstand. The detection system has three components:pressure-sensitive pads 30, at least one set of transmitters 32 a withsensors 34 a (reflectors or receivers) above the bed, and at least oneset of transmitters 32 b with sensors 34 b (reflectors or receivers) bythe side of or below the bed. The sensors are positioned opposite acorresponding transmitter to receive the signal from the transmittertherefore, each transmitter 32 a, 32 b emits a signal to thecorresponding sensor 34 a, 34 b. The signal from the transmitter 32 a,32 b can be a light signal, an infra-red signal, a sound signal, a radiosignal or the like.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, pressure-sensitive pads 30 can be positionedon the top surface of the mattress 4, near the foot or head of the bed.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3A, one or possible two pressuresensitive pads 30 a and 30 a, may be positioned on the top surface ofthe mattress 4, wherein one pressure-sensitive pad 30 a is positionedalong each free edge of the bed under the bed line. Although FIG. 3Ashows two pressure-sensitive pads 30 a and 30 a, it is within the scopeof the present invention not to provide a single pressure-sensitive pad30 a on a side of the bed having a bed rail 6 since it is unlikely thatthe bed occupant will attempt to leave the bed from the side having thebed rail 6.

[0028] The purpose of the pressure-sensitive pads 30, 30 a is to detectwhen a bed occupant attempts to get out of the bed, the detection ofwhich can be done in several different ways. In one exemplaryembodiment, when the detection system switch is turned on, thepressure-sensitive pads 30 detect the weight of the bed occupant andremain stable. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.3, removal of weight from the pressure-sensitive pads 30 is one of theconditions that signal to the control mechanism that the occupant isattempting to get out of the bed. The control mechanism will bediscussed in detail below.

[0029] Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present invention shownin FIG. 3A, placing weight on the edge-of-the-bed pressure-sensitive pad30 a, or interrupting the signals from a side of bed transmitter 32 b,is one of the conditions that signal to the control mechanism that thebed occupant is attempting to get out of the bed. When additionalconditions are met, the air bag 2 will inflate and an audible alarm willsound. The additional conditions exist when the transmitters 32 a, 32 band reflectors/receivers 34 a, 34 b signals are interrupted.

[0030] The pressure sensitive pad 30 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3includes a rectangular or other suitable shape air-tight bag, made offabric or a plastic sheet, of suitable size to cover the foot of apatient's bed. The pad 30 should be thin enough when inflated that itspresence does not disturb the patient. The preferred thickness of thepad 30 is on the order of an inch. Internal baffles of polyurethane foamor other suitable substance keep the thickness of the pad 30 fixed whenthe airtight bag is filled with air, rather than allowing the pad 30 tobecome thicker as it is inflated. The pressure-sensitive pad 30 a of theembodiment shown in FIG. 3A is identical in structure as describedabove, but is approximately 1.5-4 inches in width and 4-6 feet inlength. A pad 30 a of such size occupies the open edge of the bedwithout being noticeable to the bed occupant except for when theoccupant attempts to get out of the bed. The pad 30 a is not required toextend the full length of the bed open edge since bed occupantsgenerally do not sit at the extreme head or foot of the bed whenattempting to get out of bed. However, it is within the scope of thepresent invention to have the pressure-sensitive pad 30 a extend thefull length of the bed. A nozzle at a corner of the pad 30 or 30 a orother suitable location communicates with the inlet of a pressuresensitive switch via a flexible hose of suitable length.

[0031] The pressure sensitive switch closes an electrical contact whenthe air pressure at its inlet port rises above a pre-set and adjustablevalue.- A suitable switch is manufactured by Dwyer Corporation and has asensitivity range from 0.15 to 0.50 inches of water. In the embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 3, when the bed occupant's legsare placed on the pad 30, the pressure inside the pad 30 rises. The hosecommunicates this increased pressure to the pressure sensitive switch,which closes its electrical contact. Closing the switch sends a signalto the detection device indicating that the patient's legs have beenplaced on the pad 30. When the patient's legs are removed from the pad30, the pressure inside drops. This pressure drop is communicated to thepressure sensitive switch, the switch opens and another signal goes tothe control mechanism, indicating that the patient's legs are removedfrom the pad 30. In use, the pad 30 is placed on the patient's bed underthe bed linens. The preferred position of the pad 30 is at the patient'sfeet near its center in the patient's ordinary sleep position. Then whenthe feet or legs of the patient are removed from the pad 30, as in theact of getting out of bed, the switch opens as described above and sendsa signal to the detection device.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3A, ifboth sides of the bed are open, i.e., there is no bed rail 6 present,and an edge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pad 30 a is placed along eachedge, then the pads 30 a and 30 a may be connected to the same pressuresensitive switch via air hoses from each to a tee, and then to thepressure sensitive switch. Accordingly, when the pressure in either pad30 a or 30 a rises, the switch opens. Alternatively, separate hoses mayconnect the edge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pads 30 a, 30 a to separatepressure sensitive switches whose electrical contacts are connected inseries. Therefore, if weight is placed on either edge-of-bedpressure-sensitive pad 30 a or 30 a, the corresponding switch contactwill open independent of the switch position of the other pad 30 a, anda signal will be sent to the detector mechanism.

[0033] As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and described above, for theedge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pads 30 a and 30 a shown in FIG. 3A, thepressure sensitive switch opens an electrical contact when the airpressure at its inlet port rises above a predetermined and adjustablevalue. The above-described switch that is manufactured by DwyerCorporation is also suitable for the edge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pad30 a as well if the leads are connected so as to open a switch when theair pressure rises above a predetermined level. Accordingly, when thebed occupant moves to the open edge of the bed in order to get out ofbed, his or her legs or thighs are placed on the pad 30 a in preparationto sit up, wherein the pressure inside the pad 30 a rises. The hosecommunicates the increase in pressure within the pad 30 a to thepressure sensitive switch, which opens its electrical contact. Openingthe electrical contact of the pressure sensitive switch sends a signalto the detection device indicating that at least one leg of the bedoccupant has been placed on the pad 30 a. When the leg or legs of thebed occupant are removed from the pad 30 a, the pressure inside the pad30 a decreases. The decrease in pressure is then communicated to thepressure sensitive switch, which closes, whereupon another signal issent to the control mechanism indicating that the leg or legs of the bedoccupant have been removed from the pad.

[0034] The pressure-sensitive pads 30, 30 a work in conjunction with thetransmitters 32 a, 32 b and reflectors/receivers 34 a, 34 b to form adetection system. At least one set of transmitters 32 a is located sideby side and parallel to each other above the head of the bed and isdirected toward the foot of the bed. The transmitters emit signals thattravel in a substantially horizontal direction relative to and above thebed. Preferably, the transmitters are positioned at the head of the bedand the reflectors/receivers are positioned at the foot of the bed;however, it is within the scope of this invention that the transmittersand reflectors/receivers can be interchanged between the headboard andthe footboard. Each transmitted signal is received by a one or morereflector/receivers 34 a located above the foot of the bed, side by sideand parallel to each other, facing the head of the bed and aligned withthe corresponding transmitters 32 a to receive the signal. Thetransmitters 32 a and reflectors/receivers 34 a are mounted above thebed on the headboard 22 and footboard 24 of the bed.

[0035] In addition, a side transmitter 32 b may generate signals by theside of or below the side of the bed. The transmitter 32 b is pairedwith corresponding longitudinally spaced reflectors/receivers 34 b andlocated by the side of or below the side of the bed. The sidetransmitter 32 b and reflectors/receivers 34 b may be mounted on thevertical legs 20 of the bed frame 10. The side transmitter 32 b andreflectors/receivers 34 b capture the movement of the bed occupants'arms, legs or feet when they or other body parts of the patient hangover the edge of the bed 10 such as when the occupant attempts to getout of the bed. The side transmitter 32 b and reflector/receiver 34 bmay be affixed to both longitudinal sides of the bed in a planelaterally spaced from and parallel to the support platform 18 or belowthe platform 18.

[0036] In operation, when a detection system using pressure sensitivepads 30 to detect the person's weight in the bed is turned on, signalsare sent from the transmitters 32 a to the reflectors/receivers 34 a.When the sensor is a receiver, the transmitter 32 a carries a signal andthe receiver receives the signal. When the sensor is a reflector, thetransmitters 32 a carry the signals and the reflectors 34 a reflect thesignal back to the transmitter. When the signals from the transmittersto the receivers are interrupted and at the same time the occupantattempting to get out of bed removes weight from the pressure sensitivepads 30, the detection system sends a signal to the control mechanism,which causes air bag 2 to inflate. That is, the bed occupant must bothsit up and remove their weight from the bottom of the bed, for the beddetector to declare they are attempting to get out of bed. Therequirement that two conditions be met rather than one reduces thenumber of false alarms while keeping the probability of detecting agenuine attempt to escape or at least get out of bed relatively high.

[0037] The edge-of-bed escape detector which uses the edge of bedpressure-sensitive pads 30 a or the side of bed transmitter 32 a andside of bed reflector/receiver 32 b functions as follows. A person inbed typically moves their lower legs completely off the bed whileremaining lying on their side, with their upper legs resting on theedge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pads 30 a. This action opens the pressuresensitive switch attached to pressure sensitive pad 30 a or breaks theside transmitter beam from transmitters 32 b to receivers 34 b, butsince the beams above the bed are not broken at this time, no alarm israised. The person may continue sleeping or moving about in thisposition without setting off the alarm. When a person getting out of bedrotates themselves to a sitting position by swinging their lower legsdown to place their feet on the floor as their upper body rotatesupward, they break an above bed beam and either break a side transmitterbeam from transmitters 32 b to receivers 34 b or place weight on edge ofbed pressure sensor 30 a and trigger the alarm. Sitting up in bedwithout moving to the edge of the bed, adjusting bed covers, or thelike, may break a beam, but will not set off the alarm because the bedoccupant remains in or near the center of the bed to perform such tasksand neither places weight on the pressure sensor 30 a nor breaks a sidetransmitter beam from 32 b to 34 b. Thus, two conditions must be met foran alarm to be raised using the edge-of-bed pressure-sensitive pads 30 aor side beam from transmitter 32 b to receiver/reflector 34 b. That is,the bed occupant must both sit up and be at the edge of the bed for thebed detector to declare they are attempting to get out of bed. Therequirement that two conditions be met rather than one reduces thenumber of false alarms while keeping the probability of detecting agenuine attempt to escape or at least get out of bed relatively high.

[0038]FIG. 4 illustrates the control mechanism. The control mechanism isattached to the detection system and includes low voltage lines 40 thatcarry signals to a bed occupancy monitor 42, such as, for example only,the INFORMER™ manufactured by Micro-Tech Medical, Inc., of WestHartford, Conn., indicates by an alarm or signal when an occupant isattempting to leave the bed. The bed occupancy monitor 42 of the controlmechanism receives the signals from the detection system and, in turn,carries a signal to operate an audio system 46 for example, a taperecorder. The audio system 46 produces a recorded voice messagesimultaneously with the inflating of the air bag 2 that will urge thebed occupant to remain in bed.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the air bag 2 is inflated by aninflation device, such as an inflation fan 48 connected through anormally opened valve 52, a manifold 54, and by a flexible duct 50 tothe air bag inlet. The inflation fan 48 is activated so that it quicklyblows air into the deflated air bag 2 upon a signal from a detectionsystem that the occupant is leaving the bed. The detection system willbe discussed in more detail below. The inflated air bag pressure shouldnot exceed ½ psig.

[0040] A deflation device in FIG. 7, removes air from the air bag 2after use. The deflation device includes a normally closed valve 56 anda deflation fan 58. The deflation fan air flow exits the deflation fan58 opposite the duct 50 so as to draw air out of the air bag 2. The airbag deflation process is triggered when the audible alarm is canceled bya nurse or caregiver pressing a stop-button (not shown) which may be onthe bed occupancy monitor. When the nurse or caregiver presses thestop-button, the normally opened valve 52 closes and the normally closedvalve 56 opens. The deflation device removes the air from the air bag 2through the manifold 54, the normally closed valve 56, and the deflationfan 58 to exit outside of the system. The manifold 54 and flexible duct50 for the deflation device are the same as those used for the inflationof the air bag. When the air bag 2 is empty, or after a preset time, thedeflation fan 58 will stop and both valves 52, 56 will resume theirnormal positions. The normally closed valve 56 will close and thenormally opened valve 52 will re-open. The valves remain in these statesof readiness to inflate the air bag 2 when the detection device againdetects an occupant attempting to get out of bed.

[0041] The inflation fan 48 is preferably located underneath the bed.The tape recorder, and bed occupancy monitor are located in a housingcontaining the inflation/deflation device and electronics. The taperecorder and bed occupancy monitor are preferably in a separate package.Audio speakers are separate from the control mechanism and are locatednear the bed for sound clarity.

[0042] It should be noted that the audible alarm can be mounted in anysuitable position, for example, either on the bed headboard 22 orfootboard 24, as well as immediately outside of the patients' room oreven at a nursing station. Further, the alarm can be a visual alarm usedeither alone or in conjunction with the audible alarm. The detectionsystem power switch can be mounted on the bed, nightstand, or on a wallnear the bed.

[0043] The inflated air bag 2 is suspended above the floor and fixed inan upright position relative to the support frame 12 or the supportplatform 18 at the headboard 22 and footboard 24 by the support panels 8as well as tethers 16 made of heavy twine or the like. By being held tothe support frame 12 or the support platform 18 at the headboard 22, theair bag 2 remains suspended above the floor and blocks the path of thebed occupant attempting to get out of the bed. The tethers can be boltedor screwed to the support frame 12. Vertical support members 9 arelocated on the opposite side of the bed from the air bag and anchor thesupport panels 8. Sleeves 11 at the ends of the support panels 8 aredesigned to slip over vertical support members 9. See FIG. 6. Additionalsuspension of the air bag is accomplished by elastic bands. Elasticbands 14 extend from the support frame 12 at the headboard and footboardof the bed diagonally along the cross-section of the inflated air bag toa point approximately 45 degrees from the edge of the support frame. Theelastic bands 14 connect with the tethers 16 at points on the air bagfarthest from the support frame 12. The elastic bands can be bolted orscrewed to the support frame or vertical support 9.

[0044] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bed deterrent apparatus to deter a bed occupantfrom getting out of a bed, the bed deterrent apparatus comprising: adetection system having a detector for detecting when the bed occupantattempts to get out of the bed and at least one occupancypressure-sensitive sensor pad positioned along a longitudinal free edgeof the bed; a deterrent device mounted on the frame of the bed andactivated by the detection system for deterring the bed occupant fromgetting out of bed; and a control mechanism operatively coupled to thedetection system and the deterrent device for controlling the detectionsystem and the operation of the deterrent device.
 2. The bed deterrentapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deterrent device comprises ahorizontally displaced support positioned on a horizontal surface of thebed frame and at least one elongated and inflating deterrent, deployableupwardly when inflated, positioned on a side of the horizontallydisplaced support.
 3. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 2,further comprising: a pair of panels, each panel being adjacent the bedframe and spaced apart from each other by the length of the bed and eachpanel extending adjacent the bed frame from an end of the inflatingdeterrent to a vertical support along the horizontally displaced supportto thereby close the ends of the bed and retain an inflated deterrent onthe horizontally displaced support.
 4. The bed deterrent apparatusaccording to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first deterrent supportfor maintaining an inflated deterrent in a proper position.
 5. The beddeterrent apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising asecond deterrent support for preventing an inflated deterrent from beingpushed over by the bed occupant.
 6. The bed deterrent apparatusaccording to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first deterrent supportfor maintaining an inflated deterrent in a proper position and a seconddeterrent support for preventing the inflated deterrent from beingpushed over by the bed occupant.
 7. The bed deterrent apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the first deterrent support is at leasttwo tethers, each tether extending from the horizontally displacedsupport to a point on the inflated deterrent.
 8. The bed deterrentapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second deterrent support isat least two elastic bands, each elastic band extending from thehorizontally displaced support to a point on the inflated deterrent. 9.The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the firstdeterrent support is at least two tethers, each tether extending from anedge of the horizontally displaced support to a point on the inflateddeterrent, and wherein the second deterrent support is at least twoelastic bands, each elastic band extending from the horizontallydisplaced support to a point on the inflated deterrent.
 10. The beddeterrent apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 3, 7, 8, or 9wherein the horizontally displaced support is a platform.
 11. The beddeterrent apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 3, 7, 8 or 9wherein the horizontally displaced support is a frame.
 12. The beddeterrent apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deterrent deviceincludes an inflating deterrent on both sides of the bed.
 13. The beddeterrent apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deterrent includesan inflating deterrent on one side of the bed and a railing on the otherside of the bed.
 14. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the inflating deterrent is an air bag.
 15. The bed deterrentapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection system comprisesat least one transmitter for transmitting a signal and at least onesensor for receiving the signal.
 16. The bed deterrent apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the at least one transmitter and the atleast one sensor are positioned above the bed.
 17. The bed deterrentapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least one transmitterand the at least one sensor are positioned on either side of the bed.18. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the atleast one transmitter transmits the signal and wherein the at least onesensor is a receiver for receiving the signal from the at least onetransmitter and transmitting a corresponding signal to the controlmechanism indicating receipt of the signal from the transmitter.
 19. Thebed deterrent apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the at least onetransmitter carries the signal and wherein the at least one sensor is areflector for reflecting the signal back to the transmitter, thetransmitter then transmitting a corresponding signal to the controlmechanism indicating receipt of the signal from the reflector.
 20. Thebed deterrent apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the at least onetransmitter above the bed is at least three transmitters and the atleast one sensor above the bed is at least three sensors.
 21. The beddeterrent apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least onetransmitter and the at least one sensor on either side of the bed are ina plane laterally spaced from and parallel to a horizontally displacedsupport.
 22. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 17, whereinthe at least one transmitter and the at least one sensor on either sideof the bed are substantially below a horizontally displaced support. 23.The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at leastone transmitter and the at least one sensor on either side of the bedare below a horizontally displaced support.
 24. The bed deterrentapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deterrent device includes aninflating deterrent and an inflation/deflation device for inflating anddeflating the inflating deterrent and wherein the control mechanismcomprises a bed occupancy monitor for receiving a signal from thedetection system and transmitting the signal for activating an audiosystem and at least one low voltage line for providing a signal from thedetection system to the bed occupancy monitor, and to the audio systemand inflation device.
 25. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim24, wherein the audio system produces a voice message to urge the bedoccupant to remain in bed.
 26. The bed deterrent apparatus according toclaim 24, wherein the inflation/deflation device includes a flexibleduct, a manifold, at least two valves and at least two fans wherein oneof the at least two fans is an inflation fan for inflating the air bag,and the other fan is a deflation fan for deflating the air bag, theinflation/deflation device being positioned under the bed to convey aninflating gas from the inflation fan to the inflating deterrent and toconvey deflating gas from the inflating deterrent to the deflation fan.27. The bed deterrent apparatus according to claim 26, wherein one ofthe at least two valves is connected to the inflation fan and isnormally opened and the other of the at least two valves is connected tothe deflation fan and is normally closed.
 28. A method of detecting anddeterring bed occupants from getting out of bed including a detectionsystem having transmitters, receivers and pressure sensitive pads fordetecting and signaling edge of bed occupant presence; a controlmechanism to activate both an audio system and an inflating deterrentfor deterring the bed occupant from getting out of bed, comprising thesteps of: detecting that a first signal from a transmitter by either oneof a side of the bed or above the bed is interrupted; detecting apresence of pressure on the pressure sensitive pads; and applying asecond signal to the audio system, located near the bed, when the firstsignal and the presence of pressure are detected and operating the audiosystem in response to the signal; producing a voice message, activatedby the signal, urging the bed occupant to remain in bed; triggering theinflation device to inflate the deterrent; and inflating the deterrent.29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step ofsounding an audible alarm when at least one signal from a transmitterbeside the bed is interrupted and when there is pressure on the pressuresensitive pads.
 30. The method according to claim 29, further comprisingthe step of resetting the detection system and deterrent apparatusincluding triggering a deflation device to deflate the deterrent andcancel the audible alarm.